Environment-based RFID IC behavior

ABSTRACT

RFID ICs sense and indicate changes in their surrounding environment, such as changes in temperature, humidity, chemical presence, RF signals, and similar. An RFID IC indicates when a significant environmental change has occurred, for example by adjusting the value of a flag, writing data to memory, transmitting a message to an external entity, exiting a sleep state, and/or responding repeatedly to an inventorying reader. In some cases, RFID IC actively notifies an external entity that a significant environmental change has been sensed. For example, RFID IC may alert the external entity by participating in a special inventory process meant for RFID ICs sending environmental change. The RFID IC may alert the external entity by interjecting itself into an inventory round, re-participating in an inventory round, refraining from entering a sleep state after inventorying, and/or adjusting timing of a scheduled reply to communicate with an RFID reader ahead of schedule.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/382,233, filed on Apr. 12, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/688,116 filed on Jun. 21,2018. The disclosures of the above application are hereby incorporatedby reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) systems typically include RFIDreaders, also known as RFID reader/writers or RFID interrogators, andRFID tags. RFID systems can be used in many ways for locating andidentifying objects to which the tags are attached. RFID systems areuseful in product-related and service-related industries for trackingobjects being processed, inventoried, or handled. In such cases, an RFIDtag is usually attached to an individual item, or to its package. TheRFID tag typically includes, or is, a radio-frequency (RF) integratedcircuit (IC).

In principle, RFID techniques entail using an RFID reader to inventoryone or more RFID tags, where inventorying involves at least singulatinga tag and receiving an identifier from the singulated tag. “Singulated”is defined as a reader singling-out one tag, potentially from amongmultiple tags, for a reader-tag dialog. “Identifier” is defined as anumber identifying the tag or the item to which the tag is attached,such as a tag identifier (TID), electronic product code (EPC), etc. An“inventory round” is defined as a reader staging RFID tags forsuccessive inventorying. The reader transmitting a Radio-Frequency (RF)wave performs the inventory. The RF wave is typically electromagnetic,at least in the far field. The RF wave can also be predominantlyelectric or magnetic in the near or transitional near field. The RF wavemay encode one or more commands that instruct the tags to perform one ormore actions. The operation of an RFID reader sending commands to anRFID tag is sometimes known as the reader “interrogating” the tag.

In typical RFID systems, an RFID reader transmits a modulated RFinventory signal (a command), receives a tag reply, and transmits an RFacknowledgement signal responsive to the tag reply. A tag that repliesto the interrogating RF wave does so by transmitting back another RFwave. The tag either generates the transmitted back RF wave originally,or by reflecting back a portion of the interrogating RF wave in aprocess known as backscatter. Backscatter may take place in severalways.

The reflected-back RF wave may encode data stored in the tag, such as anumber. The response is demodulated and decoded by the reader, whichthereby identifies, counts, or otherwise interacts with the associateditem. The decoded data can denote a serial number, a price, a date, atime, a destination, an encrypted message, an electronic signature,other attribute(s), any combination of attributes, and so on.Accordingly, when a reader receives tag data it can learn about the itemthat hosts the tag and/or about the tag itself.

RFID systems are sometimes characterized as interrogator-talks-first oras tag-talks-first. In the former, a tag backscatters data afterreceiving a command instructing it to do so. In the latter, a tagbackscatters data upon receiving RF energy. Regardless of the type, RFIDsystems typically schedule or queue the tag backscatter usinganticollision algorithms to avoid multiple tags backscattering at thesame time. These anticollision algorithms include slotted-Aloha, randomtimeslotting and a host of other scheduling algorithms as will be knownto those practiced in the art.

An RFID tag typically includes an antenna section, a radio section, apower-management section, and frequently a logical section, a memory, orboth. In some RFID tags the power-management section included an energystorage device such as a battery. RFID tags with an energy storagedevice are known as battery-assisted, semi-active, or active tags. OtherRFID tags can be powered solely by the RF signal they receive. Such RFIDtags do not include an energy storage device and are called passivetags. Of course, even passive tags typically include temporary energy-and data/flag-storage elements such as capacitors or inductors. In someembodiments, an RFID tag is attached to its host item. In otherembodiments, an RFID tag may be an integral part of its host item.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended asan aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

RFID tags in reader-talks-first systems have been historically unable todraw the attention of a reader to a timely environmental input, becausethe reader controls the tag's communication timing, not the tag itself.The reader sends a command initiating an inventory round, therebystaging tags for successive inventorying, and each tag identifies itselfat its allotted time or in its allotted timeslot, optionally sending itsenvironmental data at that time. The timing or time-slotting of thetag's reply has historically been independent of environmental inputs,but in many cases a reader's ability to extract value from theenvironmental input depends on the reader knowing when the tag'senvironment changes. To address this shortcoming, embodiments aredirected to an RFID tag IC that advances its reply based onenvironmental inputs such as temperature, humidity, chemicalcomposition, RF energy, light, and the like, to alert a reader in atimely fashion that something important is happening. Specifically,embodiments are directed to RFID tag ICs sensing changes in theirenvironment, and upon sensing such changes adjusting their reply timingto reply more promptly to a reader. In a simple but not-limitinganalogy, consider a tag population queued for inventory. Upon one tagsensing a change in its environment, the one tag may respond sooner tothe reader then it would have absent the sensed change, or join aninventory round based on sensing the change when it may not have joinedotherwise, or in some other fashion advance or modify the timing of itscommunications, thereby enabling the reader to learn about andpotentially act on the environmental change.

An RFID tag so configured to advance its response as a consequence of anenvironmental change may do so by adjusting a reply timer, changing areply timeslot, changing a timing characteristic of a communicationsprotocol, exiting a sleep state, replying immediately upon sensing theenvironmental change, entering an inventory round configured for suchadvanced-reply tags, entering an inventory round it wasn't currentlyparticipating in, or in a variety of other ways.

An RFID tag so configured to advance its response as a consequence of anenvironmental change may indicate the environmental change in itsbackscattered reply by adjusting a flag or indicator value, transmittingadditional or different data to the reader, altering the RFcharacteristics of its reply, altering the timing of its reply or in avariety of other ways.

An RFID tag so configured to advance its response as a consequence of anenvironmental change may sense the environmental change by comparing ameasured value to a threshold, mean, limit-value or boundary condition;comparing a measured rate-of-change to a threshold, mean, limit-value orboundary condition; or by otherwise sensing the change in the myriadways known to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments the tag maytune or adjust the magnitude of its response advancement with aparameter of the environmental change, such as a magnitude of thechange, a derivative of the magnitude of the change, a time since aprior change, a presence of multiple changes, or another parameter ofthe change.

In some embodiments an RFID reader may initiate a standard inventoryround and a tag, sensing the environmental change, my alter its behaviorin, or choose to enter, that standard inventory round because of thechange. In other embodiments an RFID reader may initiate a specialinventory round looking for tags that sense environmental changes, suchas one in which only environmental-change-sensing tags reply, or one inwhich tags remain dormant or asleep until they sense an environmentalchange and reply, or one in which the reader allowsenvironmental-change-sensing tags to alter a parameter of acommunications protocol. In yet other embodiments an RFID reader, uponhearing a response from a tag that has sensed an environmental change,may broadcast a command (i.e. send a command to multiple tags)temporarily silencing other tags so it can focus on the tag with theenvironmental change. In some embodiments the broadcast command may beconfigured for the purpose of so initiating or notifying or silencing,whereas in other embodiments the broadcast command may be a repurposedstandard command containing a waveform or pattern that performs theinitiating or notifying or silencing. In yet other embodiments thebroadcast command may be a sequence of commands.

According to some examples, an RFID IC may provide an environmentalalert by performing a first measurement of an environmental parameter ata first time and comparing the first measurement to either a baselinevalue or a second measurement of the environmental parameter at a secondtime to determine a difference. If the difference meets a threshold,then the IC may provide the alert by (a) participating in an inventoryround, else not participating in the inventory round; (b) advancing acurrently scheduled reply in an ongoing inventory round, else notadvancing the reply; and/or (c) replying multiple times in an inventoryround.

According to other examples, an RFID IC may provide an environmentalalert by performing a first measurement of an environmental parameter ata first time, performing a second measurement of the environmentalparameter at a second time, and determining a change in theenvironmental parameter based on the first and second measurements(e.g., a rate-of-change of the environmental parameter). If thedetermined change meets a threshold, then the IC may provide the alertby (a) participating in an inventory round, else not participating inthe inventory round; (b) advancing a currently scheduled reply in anongoing inventory round, else not advancing the reply; and/or (c)replying multiple times in an inventory round.

The environmental parameter measurement in the above examples may be areceived RF power, a received RF frequency, a rate-of-change of thepower or frequency or any other RF parameter as will be known to thoseskilled in the art.

Regardless of the methodology the RFID IC uses to alert the reader, theIC may further include in its reply an indication that it is signalingan environmental change using one or more reply bits or by modifying awaveform feature in its reply.

These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a readingof the following detailed description and a review of the associateddrawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of aspects as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following Detailed Description proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components of an RFID system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing components of a passive RFID tag, such as atag that can be used in the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a half-duplex mode ofcommunication between the components of the RFID system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detail of an RFID tag, such as theone shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate signal paths during tag-to-reader andreader-to-tag communications in the block diagram of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a detail of an RFID reader system,according to embodiments.

FIG. 7 depicts a diagram of an RFID IC configured to sense or detectenvironmental changes, according to embodiments.

FIG. 8 depicts how an RFID IC may sense changes in received power thatmay represent environmental changes, according to embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart depicting a process for an RFID IC to senseenvironmental changes using a threshold-based approach, according toembodiments.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting a process for an RFID IC to join aspecial inventory round when sensing an environmental change, accordingto embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart depicting a process for an RFID IC to exit asleep state and reply upon sensing an environmental change, according toembodiments.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart depicting a process for an RFID IC to advance itsreply scheduling when sensing an environmental change, according toembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, references are made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown byway of illustration specific embodiments or examples. These embodimentsor examples may be combined, other aspects may be utilized, andstructural changes may be made without departing from the spirit orscope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description istherefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of thepresent invention is defined by the appended claims and theirequivalents.

As used herein, “memory” is one of ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM, NVM, EEPROM,FLASH, Fuse, MRAM, FRAM, and other similar information-storagetechnologies as will be known to those skilled in the art. Some portionsof memory may be writeable and some not. “Command” refers to a readerrequest for one or more tags to perform one or more actions and includesone or more tag instructions preceded by a command identifier or commandcode that identifies the command and/or the tag instructions.“Instruction” refers to a request to a tag to perform a single explicitaction (e.g., write data into memory). “Program” refers to a request toa tag to perform a set or sequence of instructions (e.g., read a valuefrom memory and, if the read value is less than a threshold then lock amemory word). “Protocol” refers to an industry standard forcommunications between a reader and a tag (and vice versa), such as theClass-1 Generation-2 UHF RFID Protocol for Communications at 860 MHz-960MHz by GS1 EPCglobal, Inc. (“Gen2 Protocol”), versions 1.2.0 and 2.0 ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the components of a typical RFID system 100,incorporating embodiments. An RFID reader 110 and a nearby RFID tag 120communicate via RF signals 112 and 126. When sending data to tag 120,reader 110 may generate RF signal 112 by encoding the data, modulatingan RF waveform with the encoded data, and transmitting the modulated RFwaveform as RF signal 112. In turn, tag 120 may receive RF signal 112,demodulate encoded data from RF signal 112, and decode the encoded data.Similarly, when sending data to reader 110 tag 120 may generate RFsignal 126 by encoding the data, modulating an RF waveform with theencoded data, and causing the modulated RF waveform to be sent as RFsignal 126. The data sent between reader 110 and tag 120 may berepresented by symbols, also known as RFID symbols. A symbol may be adelimiter, a calibration value, or implemented to represent binary data,such as “0” and “1”, if desired. Upon processing by reader 110 and tag120, symbols may be treated as values, numbers, or any other suitabledata representations.

The RF waveforms transmitted by reader 110 and/or tag 120 may be in asuitable range of frequencies, such as those near 900 MHz, 13.56 MHz, orsimilar. In some embodiments, RF signals 112 and/or 126 may includenon-propagating RF signals, such as reactive near-field signals orsimilar. RFID tag 120 may be active or battery-assisted (i.e.,possessing its own power source), or passive. In the latter case, RFIDtag 120 may harvest power from RF signal 112.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an RFID tag 220, which may function as tag 120 ofFIG. 1. Tag 220 may be formed on a substantially planar inlay 222, whichcan be made in any suitable way. Tag 220 includes a circuit which may beimplemented as an IC 224. In some embodiments IC 224 is fabricated incomplementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. In otherembodiments IC 224 may be fabricated in other technologies such asbipolar junction transistor (BJT) technology, metal-semiconductorfield-effect transistor (MESFET) technology, and others as will be wellknown to those skilled in the art. IC 224 is arranged on inlay 222.

Tag 220 also includes an antenna for transmitting and/or interactingwith RF signals. In some embodiments the antenna can be etched,deposited, and/or printed metal on inlay 222; conductive thread formedwith or without substrate 222; nonmetallic conductive (such as graphene)patterning on substrate 222; a first antenna coupled inductively,capacitively, or galvanically to a second antenna; or can be fabricatedin myriad other ways that exist for forming antennas to receive RFwaves. In some embodiments the antenna may even be formed in IC 224.Regardless of the antenna type, IC 224 is electrically coupled to theantenna via suitable IC contacts (not shown in FIG. 2). The term“electrically coupled” as used herein may mean a direct electricalconnection, or it may mean a connection that includes one or moreintervening circuit blocks, elements, or devices. The “electrical” partof the term “electrically coupled” as used in this document shall mean acoupling that is one or more of ohmic/galvanic, capacitive, and/orinductive. Similarly, the terms “electrically isolated” or “electricallydecoupled” as used herein mean that electrical coupling of one or moretypes (e.g., galvanic, capacitive, and/or inductive) is not present, atleast to the extent possible. For example, elements that areelectrically isolated from each other are galvanically isolated fromeach other, capacitively isolated from each other, and/or inductivelyisolated from each other. Of course, electrically isolated componentswill generally have some unavoidable stray capacitive or inductivecoupling between them, but the intent of the isolation is to minimizethis stray coupling when compared with an electrically coupled path.

IC 224 is shown with a single antenna port, comprising two IC contactselectrically coupled to two antenna segments 226 and 228 which are shownhere forming a dipole. Many other embodiments are possible using anynumber of ports, contacts, antennas, and/or antenna segments. Antennasegments 226 and 228 are depicted as separate from IC 224, but in otherembodiments the antenna segments may alternatively be formed on IC 224.Tag antennas according to embodiments may be designed in any form andare not limited to dipoles. For example, the tag antenna may be a patch,a slot, a loop, a coil, a horn, a spiral, a monopole, microstrip,stripline, or any other suitable antenna.

Diagram 250 depicts top and side views of tag 252, formed using a strap.Tag 252 differs from tag 220 in that it includes a substantially planarstrap substrate 254 having strap contacts 256 and 258. IC 224 is mountedon strap substrate 254 such that the IC contacts on IC 224 electricallycouple to strap contacts 256 and 258 via suitable connections (notshown). Strap substrate 254 is then placed on inlay 222 such that strapcontacts 256 and 258 electrically couple to antenna segments 226 and228. Strap substrate 254 may be affixed to inlay 222 via pressing, aninterface layer, one or more adhesives, or any other suitable means.

Diagram 260 depicts a side view of an alternative way to place strapsubstrate 254 onto inlay 222. Instead of strap substrate 254's surface,including strap contacts 256/258, facing the surface of inlay 222, strapsubstrate 254 is placed with its strap contacts 256/258 facing away fromthe surface of inlay 222. Strap contacts 256/258 can then be eithercapacitively coupled to antenna segments 226/228 through strap substrate254, or conductively coupled using a through-via which may be formed bycrimping strap contacts 256/258 to antenna segments 226/228. In someembodiments, the positions of strap substrate 254 and inlay 222 may bereversed, with strap substrate 254 mounted beneath inlay 222 and strapcontacts 256/258 electrically coupled to antenna segments 226/228through inlay 222. Of course, in yet other embodiments strap contacts256/258 may electrically couple to antenna segments 226/228 through bothinlay 222 and strap substrate 254.

In operation, the antenna couples with RF signals in the environment andpropagates the signals to IC 224, which may both harvest power andrespond if appropriate, based on the incoming signals and the IC'sinternal state. If IC 224 uses backscatter modulation then it maygenerate a response signal (e.g., signal 126) from an RF signal in theenvironment (e.g., signal 112) by modulating the antenna's reflectance.Electrically coupling and uncoupling the IC contacts of IC 224 canmodulate the antenna's reflectance, as can varying the admittance orimpedance of a shunt-connected or series-connected circuit element whichis coupled to the IC contacts. If IC 224 is capable of transmittingsignals (e.g., has its own power source, is coupled to an external powersource, and/or is can harvest sufficient power to transmit signals),then IC 224 may respond by transmitting response signal 126. In theembodiments of FIG. 2, antenna segments 226 and 228 are separate from IC224. In other embodiments, the antenna segments may alternatively beformed on IC 224.

An RFID tag such as tag 220 is often attached to or associated with anindividual item or the item packaging. An RFID tag may be fabricated andthen attached to the item or packaging, may be partly fabricated beforeattachment to the item or packaging and then completely fabricated uponattachment to the item or packaging, or the manufacturing process of theitem or packaging may include the fabrication of the RFID tag. In someembodiments, the RFID tag may be integrated into the item or packaging,and portions of the item or packaging may serve as tag components. Forexample, conductive item or packaging portions may serve as tag antennasegments or contacts. Nonconductive item or packaging portions may serveas tag substrates or inlays. If the item or packaging includesintegrated circuits or other circuitry, some portion of the circuitrymay be configured to operate as part or all of an RFID tag IC. Thus, an“RFID IC” need not be distinct from an item, but more generally refersto the item containing an RFID IC and antenna capable of interactingwith RF waves and receiving and responding to RFID signals. Because theboundaries between IC, tag, and item are thus often blurred, the term“RFID IC” or “RFID tag” as used herein may refer to the IC, the tag, oreven to the item as long as the referenced element is capable of RFIDfunctionality.

The components of the RFID system of FIG. 1 may communicate with eachother in any number of modes. One such mode is called full duplex, whereboth reader 110 and tag 120 can transmit at the same time. In someembodiments, RFID system 100 may be capable of full duplexcommunication. Another such mode, which may be more suitable for passivetags, is called half-duplex, and is described below.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram 300 for explaining half-duplexcommunications between the components of the RFID system of FIG. 1, inthis case with tag 120 implemented as a passive tag. The explanation ismade with reference to a TIME axis, and also to a human metaphor of“talking” and “listening”. The actual technical implementations for“talking” and “listening” are now described.

In a half-duplex communication mode, RFID reader 110 and RFID tag 120talk and listen to each other by taking turns. As seen on axis TIME,reader 110 talks to tag 120 during intervals designated “R→T”, and tag120 talks to reader 110 during intervals designated “T→R”. For example,a sample R→T interval occurs during time interval 312, during whichreader 110 talks (block 332) and tag 120 listens (block 342). Afollowing sample T→R interval occurs during time interval 326, duringwhich reader 110 listens (block 336) and tag 120 listens (block 346).Interval 312 may be of a different duration than interval 326—here thedurations are shown approximately equal only for purposes ofillustration.

During interval 312, reader 110 transmits a signal such as signal 112described in FIG. 1 (block 352), while tag 120 receives the readersignal (block 362), processes the reader signal to extract data, andharvests power from the reader signal. While receiving the readersignal, tag 120 does not backscatter (block 372), and therefore reader110 does not receive a signal from tag 120 (block 382).

During interval 326, also known as a backscatter time interval orbackscatter interval, reader 110 does not transmit a data-bearingsignal. Instead, reader 110 transmits a continuous wave (CW) signal,which is a carrier that generally does not encode information. The CWsignal provides energy for tag 120 to harvest as well as a waveform thattag 120 can modulate to form a backscatter response signal. Accordingly,during interval 326 tag 120 is not receiving a signal with encodedinformation (block 366) and instead modulates the CW signal (block 376)to generate a backscatter signal such as signal 126 described in FIG. 2.Tag 120 may modulate the CW signal to generate a backscatter signal byadjusting its antenna reflectance, as described above. Reader 110 thenreceives and processes the backscatter signal (block 386).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detail of an RFID IC, such as IC 224in FIG. 2. Electrical circuit 424 may be implemented in an IC, such asIC 224. Circuit 424 implements at least two IC contacts 432 and 433,suitable for coupling to antenna segments such as antenna segments226/228 in FIG. 2. When two IC contacts form the signal input from andsignal return to an antenna they are often referred-to as an antennaport. IC contacts 432 and 433 may be made in any suitable way, such asfrom electrically-conductive pads, bumps, or similar. In someembodiments circuit 424 implements more than two IC contacts, especiallywhen configured with multiple antenna ports and/or to couple to multipleantennas.

Circuit 424 includes signal-routing section 435 which may include signalwiring, signal-routing busses, receive/transmit switches, and similarthat can route signals between the components of circuit 424. ICcontacts 432/433 may couple galvanically, capacitively, and/orinductively to signal-routing section 435. For example, optionalcapacitors 436 and/or 438 may capacitively couple IC contacts 432/433 tosignal-routing section 435, thereby galvanically decoupling IC contacts432/433 from signal-routing section 435 and other components of circuit424.

Capacitive coupling (and the resultant galvanic decoupling) between ICcontacts 432 and/or 433 and components of circuit 424 is desirable incertain situations. For example, in some RFID tag embodiments ICcontacts 432 and 433 may galvanically connect to terminals of a tuningloop on the tag. In these embodiments, galvanically decoupling ICcontact 432 from IC contact 433 may prevent the formation of a DC shortcircuit between the IC contacts through the tuning loop.

Capacitors 436/438 may be implemented within circuit 424 and/or partlyor completely external to circuit 424. For example, a dielectric orinsulating layer on the surface of the IC containing circuit 424 mayserve as the dielectric in capacitor 436 and/or capacitor 438. Asanother example, a dielectric or insulating layer on the surface of atag substrate (e.g., inlay 222 or strap substrate 254) may serve as thedielectric in capacitors 436/438. Metallic or conductive layerspositioned on both sides of the dielectric layer (i.e., between thedielectric layer and the IC and between the dielectric layer and the tagsubstrate) may then serve as terminals of the capacitors 436/438. Theconductive layers may include IC contacts (e.g., IC contacts 432/433),antenna segments (e.g., antenna segments 226/228), or any other suitableconductive layers.

Circuit 424 includes a rectifier and PMU (Power Management Unit) 441that harvests energy from the RF signal incident on antenna segments226/228 to power the circuits of IC 424 during either or bothreader-to-tag (R→T) and tag-to-reader (T→R) intervals. Rectifier and PMU441 may be implemented in any way known in the art, and may include oneor more components configured to convert an alternating-current (AC) ortime-varying signal into a direct-current (DC) or substantiallytime-invariant signal.

Circuit 424 also includes a demodulator 442, a processing block 444, amemory 450, and a modulator 446. Demodulator 442 demodulates the RFsignal received via IC contacts 432/433, and may be implemented in anysuitable way, for example using a slicer, an amplifier, and othersimilar components. Processing block 444 receives the output fromdemodulator 442, performs operations such as command decoding, memoryinterfacing, and other related operations, and may generate an outputsignal for transmission. Processing block 444 may be implemented in anysuitable way, for example by combinations of one or more of a processor,memory, decoder, encoder, and other similar components. Memory 450stores data 452, and may be at least partly implemented as permanent orsemi-permanent memory such as nonvolatile memory (NVM), EEPROM, ROM, orother memory types configured to retain data 452 even when circuit 424does not have power. Processing block 444 may be configured to read datafrom and/or write data to memory 450.

Modulator 446 generates a modulated signal from the output signalgenerated by processing block 444. In one embodiment, modulator 446generates the modulated signal by driving the load presented by antennasegment(s) coupled to IC contacts 432/433 to form a backscatter signalas described above. In another embodiment, modulator 446 includes and/oruses a transmitter to generate and transmit the modulated signal viaantenna segment(s) coupled to IC contacts 432/433. Modulator 446 may beimplemented in any suitable way, for example using a switch, driver,amplifier, and other similar components. Demodulator 442 and modulator446 may be separate components, combined in a single transceivercircuit, and/or part of processing block 444.

In some embodiments, particularly in those with more than one antennaport, circuit 424 may contain multiple demodulators, rectifiers, PMUs,modulators, processing blocks, and/or memories.

FIG. 5A shows version 524-A of components of circuit 424 of FIG. 4,further modified to emphasize a signal operation during a R→T interval(e.g., time interval 312 of FIG. 3). During the R→T interval,demodulator 442 demodulates an RF signal received from IC contacts432/433. The demodulated signal is provided to processing block 444 asC_IN, which in some embodiments may include a received stream ofsymbols. Rectifier and PMU 441 may be active, for example harvestingpower from an incident RF waveform and providing power to demodulator442, processing block 444, and other circuit components. During the R→Tinterval, modulator 446 is not actively modulating a signal, and in factmay be decoupled from the RF signal. For example, signal routing section435 may be configured to decouple modulator 446 from the RF signal, oran impedance of modulator 446 may be adjusted to decouple it from the RFsignal.

FIG. 5B shows version 524-B of components of circuit 424 of FIG. 4,further modified to emphasize a signal operation during a T→R interval(e.g., time interval 326 of FIG. 3). During the T→R interval, processingblock 444 outputs a signal C_OUT, which may include a stream of symbolsfor transmission. Modulator 446 then generates a modulated signal fromC_OUT and sends the modulated signal via antenna segment(s) coupled toIC contacts 432/433, as described above. During the T→R interval,rectifier and PMU 441 may be active, while demodulator 442 may not beactively demodulating a signal. In some embodiments, demodulator 442 maybe decoupled from the RF signal during the T→R interval. For example,signal routing section 435 may be configured to decouple demodulator 442from the RF signal, or an impedance of demodulator 442 may be adjustedto decouple it from the RF signal.

In typical embodiments, demodulator 442 and modulator 446 are operableto demodulate and modulate signals according to a protocol, such as theGen2 Protocol mentioned above. In embodiments where circuit 424 includesmultiple demodulators modulators, and/or processing blocks, each may beconfigured to support different protocols or different sets ofprotocols. A protocol specifies, in part, symbol encodings, and mayinclude a set of modulations, rates, timings, or any other parameterassociated with data communications. A protocol can be a variant of aninternationally ratified protocol such as the Gen2 Protocol, for exampleincluding fewer or additional commands than the ratified protocol callsfor, and so on. In some instances, additional commands may sometimes becalled custom commands.

FIG. 6 depicts an RFID reader system 600 according to embodiments.Reader system 600 is configured to communicate with RFID tags andoptionally to communicate with entities external to reader system 600,such as a service 632. Reader system 600 includes at least one readermodule 602. Reader module 602 is at least configured to transmit signalsto and receive signals from RFID tags, and in some embodiments may haveadditional features or functionalities. Reader system 600 furtherincludes at least one local controller 612, and in some embodimentsincludes at least one remote controller 622. Controllers 612 and/or 622are configured to control the operation of reader module 602, processdata received from RFID tags communicating through reader module 602,communicate with external entities such as service 632, and otherwisecontrol the operation of reader system 600.

In some embodiments, reader system 600 may include multiple readermodules, local controllers, and/or remote controllers. For example,reader system 600 may include at least one other reader module 610, atleast one other local controller 620, and/or at least one other remotecontroller 630. A single reader module may communicate with multiplelocal and/or remote controllers, a single local controller maycommunicate with multiple reader modules and/or remote controllers, anda single remote controller may communicate with multiple reader modulesand/or local controllers. Similarly, reader system 600 may be configuredto communicate with multiple external entities, such as other readersystems (not depicted) and multiple services (for example, services 632and 640).

Reader module 602 includes a modulator/encoder block 604, ademodulator/decoder block 606, and an interface block 608.Modulator/encoder block 604 may encode and modulate data fortransmission to RFID tags. Demodulator/decoder block 606 may demodulateand decode signals received from RFID tags to recover data sent from thetags. The modulation, encoding, demodulation, and decoding may beperformed according to a protocol or specification, such as the Gen2Specification. Reader module 602 may use interface block 608 tocommunicate with local controller 612 and/or remote controller 622, forexample to exchange tag data, receive instructions or commands, or toexchange other relevant information.

Reader module 602 and blocks 604/606 are coupled to one or more antennasand/or antenna drivers (not depicted), for transmitting and receiving RFsignals. In some embodiments, reader module 602 is coupled to multipleantennas and/or antenna drivers. In these embodiments, reader module 602may transmit and/or receive RF signals on the different antennas in anysuitable scheme. For example, reader module 602 may switch betweendifferent antennas to transmit and receive RF signals, transmit on oneantenna but receive on another antenna, or transmit and/or receive onmultiple antennas simultaneously. In some embodiments, reader module 602may be coupled to one or more phased-array or synthesized-beam antennaswhose beams can be generated and/or steered, for example by readermodule 602, local controller 612, and/or remote controller 622.

Modulator/encoder block 604 and/or demodulator/decoder block 606 may beconfigured to perform conversion between analog and digital signals. Forexample, modulator/encoder block 604 may convert a digital signalreceived via interface block 608 to an analog signal for subsequenttransmission, and demodulator/decoder block 606 may convert a receivedanalog signal to a digital signal for transmission via interface block608.

Local controller 612 includes a processor block 612, a memory 616, andan interface 618. Remote controller 622 includes a processor block 622,a memory 626, and an interface 628. Local controller 612 differs fromremote controller 622 in that local controller 612 is collocated or atleast physically near reader module 602, whereas remote controller 622is not physically near reader module 602. For example, local

Processor blocks 612 and/or 622 may be configured to, alone or incombination, provide different functions. Such functions may include thecontrol of other components, such as memory, interface blocks, readermodules, and similar; communication with other components such as readermodule 620, other reader systems, services 632/640, and similar;data-processing or algorithmic processing such as encryption,decryption, authentication, and similar; or any other suitable function.In some embodiments, processor blocks 612/622 may be configured toconvert analog signals to digital signals or vice-versa, as describedabove in relation to blocks 604/606; processor blocks 612/622 may alsobe configured to perform any suitable analog signal processing ordigital signal processing, such as filtering, carrier cancellation,noise determination, and similar.

Processor blocks 612/622 may be configured to provide functions byexecution of instructions or applications, which may be retrieved frommemory (for example, memory 616 and/or 626) or received from some otherentity. Processor blocks 612/622 may be implemented in any suitable way.For example, processor blocks 612/622 may be implemented using digitaland/or analog processors such as microprocessors and digital-signalprocessors (DSPs); controllers such as microcontrollers; softwarerunning in a machine such as a general purpose computer; programmablecircuits such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),field-programmable analog arrays (FPAAs), programmable logic devices(PLDs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), any combinationof one or more of these; and equivalents.

Memories 616/626 are configured to store information, and may beimplemented in any suitable way, such as the memory types describedabove, any combination thereof, or any other known memory or informationstorage technology. Memories 616/626 may be implemented as part of theirassociated processor blocks (e.g., processor blocks 614/624) orseparately. Memories 616/626 may store instructions, programs, orapplications for processor blocks 614/624 to execute. Memories 616/626may also store other data, such as files, media, componentconfigurations or settings, etc.

In some embodiments, memories 616/626 store tag data. Tag data may bedata read from tags, data to be written to tags, and/or data associatedwith tags or tagged items. Tag data may include identifiers for tagssuch as electronic product codes (EPCs), tag identifiers (TIDs), or anyother information suitable for identifying individual tags. Tag data mayalso include tag passwords, tag profiles, tag cryptographic keys (secretor public), tag key generation algorithms, and any other suitableinformation about tags or items associated with tags.

Memories 616/626 may also store information about how reader system 600is to operate. For example, memories 616/626 may store information aboutalgorithms for encoding commands for tags, algorithms for decodingsignals from tags, communication and antenna operating modes,encryption/authentication algorithms, tag location and trackingalgorithms, cryptographic keys and key pairs (such as public/private keypairs) associated with reader system 600 and/or other entities,electronic signatures, and similar.

Interface blocks 608, 618, and 628 are configured to communicate witheach other and with other suitably configured interfaces. Thecommunications between interface blocks occur via the exchange ofsignals containing data, instructions, commands, or any other suitableinformation. For example, interface block 608 may receive data to bewritten to tags, information about the operation of reader module 602and its constituent components, and similar; and may send data read fromtags. Interface blocks 618 and 628 may send and receive tag data,information about the operation of other components, other informationfor enabling local controller 612 and remote controller 622 to operatein conjunction, and similar. Interface blocks 608/618/628 may alsocommunicate with external entities, such as services 632, 640, otherservices, and/or other reader systems.

Interface blocks 608/618/628 may communicate using any suitable wired orwireless means. For example, interface blocks 608/618/628 maycommunicate over circuit traces or interconnects, or other physicalwires or cables, and/or using any suitable wireless signal propagationtechnique. In some embodiments, interface blocks 608/618/628 maycommunicate via an electronic communications network, such as a localarea network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide areanetwork (WAN), a network of networks such as the internet.Communications from interface blocks 608/618/628 may be secured, forexample via encryption and other electronic means, or may be unsecured.

Reader system 600 may be implemented in any suitable way. One or more ofthe components in reader system 600 may be implemented as integratedcircuits using CMOS technology, BJT technology, MESFET technology,and/or any other suitable physical implementation technology. Componentsmay also be implemented as software executing on general-purpose orapplication-specific hardware.

In one embodiment, a “reader” as used in this disclosure may include atleast one reader module like reader module 602 and at least one localcontroller such as local controller 612. Such a reader may or may notinclude any remote controllers such as remote controller 622. A readerincluding a reader module and a local controller may be implemented as astandalone device or as a component in another device. In someembodiments, a reader may be implemented as a mobile device, such as ahandheld reader, or as a component in a mobile device such as a laptop,tablet, smartphone, wearable device, or any other suitable mobiledevice.

Remote controller 622, if not included in a reader, may be implementedseparately. For example, remote controller 622 may be implemented as alocal host, a remote server, or a database, coupled to one or morereaders via one or more communications networks. In some embodiments,remote controller 622 may be implemented as an application executing ona cloud or at a datacenter.

Functionality within reader system 600 may be distributed in anysuitable way. For example, the encoding and/or decoding functionalitiesof blocks 604 and 606 may be performed by processor blocks 614 and/or624. In some embodiments, processor blocks 614 and 624 may cooperate toexecute an application or perform some functionality. One of localcontroller 612 and remote controller 622 may not implement memory, withthe other controller providing memory.

Reader system 600 may communicate with at least one service 632. Service632 provides one or more features, functions, and/or capabilitiesassociated with one or more entities, such as reader systems, tags,tagged items, and similar. Such features, functions, and/or capabilitiesmay include the provision of information associated with the entity,such as warranty information, repair/replacement information,upgrade/update information, and similar; and the provision of servicesassociated with the entity, such as storage and/or access ofentity-related data, location tracking for the entity, entity securityservices (e.g., authentication of the entity), entity privacy services(e.g., who is allowed access to what information about the entity), andsimilar. Service 632 may be separate from reader system 600, and the twomay communicate via one or more networks.

In some embodiments, an RFID reader or reader system implements thefunctions and features described above at least partly in the form offirmware, software, or a combination, such as hardware or devicedrivers, an operating system, applications, and the like. In someembodiments, interfaces to the various firmware and/or softwarecomponents may be provided. Such interfaces may include applicationprogramming interfaces (APIs), libraries, user interfaces (graphical andotherwise), or any other suitable interface. The firmware, software,and/or interfaces may be implemented via one or more processor blocks,such as processor blocks 614/624. In some embodiments, at least some ofthe reader or reader system functions and features can be provided as aservice, for example, via service 632 or service 640.

Embodiments additionally include programs, and methods of operation ofthe programs. A program is generally defined as a group of steps oroperations leading to a desired result, due to the nature of theelements in the steps and their sequence. A program may be implementedas a sequence of steps or operations for a processor but may beimplemented in other processing elements such as FPGAs, DSPs, processingblocks or other devices as described above.

Performing the steps, instructions, or operations of a program requiresmanipulating physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, thesequantities may be transferred, combined, compared, and otherwisemanipulated or processed according to the steps or instructions, andthey may also be stored in a computer-readable medium. These quantitiesinclude, for example, electrical, magnetic, and electromagnetic chargesor particles, states of matter, and in the more general case can includethe states of any physical devices or elements. It is convenient attimes, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to informationrepresented by the states of these quantities as bits, data bits,samples, values, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. Itshould be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare associated with the appropriate physical quantities, and that theseterms are merely convenient labels applied to these physical quantities,individually or in groups.

Embodiments furthermore include storage media. Such media, individuallyor in combination with others, have stored thereon instructions, data,keys, signatures, and other data of a program made according to theembodiments. A storage medium according to the embodiments is acomputer-readable medium, such as a memory, and is read by a processorof the type mentioned above. If a memory, it can be implemented in anyof the ways and using any of the technologies described above.

Even though it is said that the program may be stored in acomputer-readable medium, it should be clear to a person skilled in theart that it need not be a single memory, or even a single machine.Various portions, modules or features of it may reside in separatememories, or even separate machines. The separate machines may beconnected directly, or through a network such as a local access network(LAN) or a global network such as the Internet.

Often, for the sake of convenience only, it is desirable to implementand describe a program as software. The software can be unitary, orthought of in terms of various interconnected distinct software modules.

As mentioned previously, embodiments are directed to RFID ICs sensingsome characteristic of their environment or of their operation. In someembodiments, an RFID IC may include or be coupled to a sensor or sensorsconfigured to sense one or more environmental characteristics such astemperature; humidity; radiation; electromagnetic signals; light ordarkness; the presence or absence of chemicals, biological agents, orother agents; or any other aspect of the tag's or item's environment. Asensor may also (or instead) be configured to sense an environmentalcharacteristic of the IC or the item to which the IC is attached such asmovement; location; acceleration; distance from one or more RF emitters;RF energy incident on the item or on an antenna associated with the itemor on the IC, or a change in this incident RF energy; the power the ICextracts from the incident RF or a change in the extracted power;antenna frequency response, tuning or changes in tuning; characteristicsof the tuning elements, such as resistors, capacitors, inductors,varactors, transistors or other elements the IC uses to improve powertransfer from the antenna, or a change in those tuning elements or theirvalues; or any other suitable characteristic. In some embodiments, asensor may be configured to sense one or more aspects of the IC'sfunction. Such a sensor (or other IC component) may sense some parameterassociated with the IC's operation, such as internal voltage or internalcurrent, or may sense whether IC components are operating normally, aredamaged, are close to failure, or have failed. For example, the IC maybe configured to determine a physical integrity of the IC or whetherdata in memory has been correctly or strongly written.

In the context of the present disclosure, any or all of the abovecharacteristics are “environmental”, are accessible to a “sensor” andare accessible to the IC. It is the intent of the present disclosure tointerpret the terms “environmental” and “sensor” in their broadestpossible sense. As one, but not limiting, example, a power detector onthe IC is a sensor that senses received RF energy, which isenvironmental. The power detector may directly measure the RF energyincident on the RFID IC or an associated antenna, the power extracted bythe RFID IC, a rectified voltage or current, or any other parameterrelated to detected power. The power detector may be a separate sensoror part of another RFID IC component such as rectifier and PMU 441,demodulator 442, modulator 446, and/or processing block 444.

The RFID IC may be configured to alert an external entity, such as areader or the item to which the IC is attached or embedded, to thesensed characteristic or change. For example, the IC may provide senseddata to a reader and/or store the data for subsequent retrieval. The ICmay also (or instead) process the sensed environmentalcharacteristic/change and perform an action based on the processedcharacteristic/change to alert a reader to the characteristic/change.

The alert from RFID IC to reader may include or be a message, a flagvalue, a data value, a message timing or delay or any other suitablenotification. In some embodiments, for example when the reply to theinventorying reader uses a standardized format, the IC may adjust thevalue of one or more bits in the standardized reply format, or add oneor more bits to the standardized reply format, or adjust the timing ofthe reply, and send the adjusted reply to the reader. The reader, upondetermining that the reply is different from an otherwise standardreply, may determine that the RFID IC has sensed an environmentalchange. Whether sending its reply according to a standardized format ornot, the IC may adjust one or more bits in the reply or the timing ofthe reply in any suitable way. For example, the IC may switch the valuesof the one or more bits, adjust bits or bit values based on the sensedenvironmental change (e.g., its degree, type, etc.), adjust the bit orbit values based on a predetermined or dynamic encoding or adjust itsreply timing based on the sensed environmental change. In someembodiments, the RFID IC need not perform any special notification, andrelies instead on its participation in an inventory round or the timingof its reply in an inventory round to indicate that it has sensed anenvironmental change.

FIG. 7 depicts a diagram 700 of an RFID IC 702 configured to sense ordetect environmental characteristics or changes, according toembodiments. RFID IC 702 may be coupled to one or more sensors 704configured to sense environmental characteristics or changes asdescribed above. Sensors 704 may include a temperature sensor, humiditysensor, chemical sensor, biological agent sensor, optical sensor,radiation sensor, RF energy sensor, power detector, impedance sensor,motion sensor, acceleration sensor or any other suitable sensor. Sensors704 may be part of RFID IC 702 or may be separate from RFID IC 702. Inthe latter case, RFID IC 702 may also or instead include one or moreinterfaces 706 configured to couple to one or more external sensors.Interfaces 706 may include one or more antennas, IC antenna ports,and/or a separate connection or interface to RFID IC 702.

RFID IC 702 further includes a controller 710, a memory 720, andoptionally at least one indicator 730. Indicator 730 may be a flag, acounter or bit capable of switching between at least two differentstates, or any other form of electronic indicator. Indicator 730 may beimplemented in a memory, as a register or flip-flop, or as anothercircuit component. In some embodiments indicator 730 may be a selectflag, a session flag, or a notification flag, as described in the Gen2Protocol.

Controller 710 may be configured to receive sensor data associated withaspects of the environment and/or of RFID IC 702 from sensor(s) 704and/or interface(s) 706. Controller 710 may store the data in memory 720for subsequent transmission to a reader, may immediately relay the datato a reader as part of an ongoing reply, may alter the timing of acurrent or subsequent reply, adjust an indicator 730's value, or in someother way provide an ability to notify a reader of the sensor data withor without storing the sensor data in memory 720.

In some embodiments, controller 710 may process the sensor data todetermine whether an environmental characteristic has changed, and if sothen alert an external reader by, for example, participating in aninventory round or advancing the RFID IC's reply timing. Controller 710may process the sensor data based on any suitable algorithm ortechnique. For example, controller 710 may use averaging, peak-finding,or another data-processing algorithm; may generate intermediate values;and may compare the measured or intermediate values to one or morepredetermined or dynamically determined threshold values.

In one embodiment, RFID IC 702 may observe changes in RF power incidenton an associated antenna such as the antennas in FIG. 2. It may observethese changes by measuring a change in voltage or current produced by arectifier and/or PMU such as rectifier and PMU 441, or in a variety ofother ways as described above. These changes may indicate anenvironmental change, such as movement of the item to which the IC isattached, or whether a person's body is blocking or no longer blockingthe incident RF energy, or a change in the orientation of RFID IC 702with respect to an RF emitter, and/or a change in the RF couplingcapabilities of RFID IC 702.

Regardless of the cause, controller 710 may determine whether theprocessed data indicate environmental and/or item changes and, if so,then in some fashion advance or modify the timing of its reply orcommunications to or with a reader, thereby enabling the reader to learnabout and potentially act on the environmental change. For example, ifthe item is moving then controller 710 may want to alert the reader topay attention because somebody may be stealing the item. In someembodiments, controller 710 may be configured to execute or implement afunctionality not specified in, or in conflict with, a protocol like theGen2 Protocol, such as advance its reply timing, adjust timing(s) of oneor more symbols in its reply, or participate in an inventory round itwould otherwise not have participated-in. Controller 710 may also adjustan indicator value, write data associated with and/or the actual sensordata to memory 720, adjust one or more IC parameters, enter or exit ICoperating states, enable or disable one or more features, and/or performany other suitable action.

FIG. 8 depicts how an RFID IC may sense a change in received power,according to embodiments. Diagram 800 is a chart depicting the powercharacteristic 802 sensed by an RFID IC as a function of time, with thevertical axis representing power and the horizontal axis representingtime. Power characteristic 802 may represent the power of RF wavesincident on an antenna associated with the RFID IC; the power sensed atan antenna port of the RFID IC; the power, voltage, and/or currentextracted by the RFID IC from the incident RF waves; or any othersuitable power value associated with the RFID IC. Power characteristic802 may fluctuate with changes in the RFID IC's environment and/oroperation. The RFID IC may be configured to measure power characteristic802 using a sensor or an intrinsic circuit of the RFID IC, such as therectifier or demodulator, as described above.

At time 810, the RFID IC begins monitoring power characteristic 802,where the monitoring may include periodic (i.e. at intervals) orcontinuous monitoring. The IC may receive a reader command or aninterface command instructing it to begin monitoring, or it mayself-determine the need for monitoring. The commanding orself-determining may cause the RFID IC to begin monitoring immediatelyor at a future point in time. A command that causes the RFID IC to beginmonitoring may instruct the RFID IC to specifically begin monitoring, ormay serve another functionality but which the RFID IC interprets as anindicator to begin monitoring. For example, in some embodiments thecommand may be a Select command of the Gen2 Protocol, which one or moreRFID ICs interpret as an instruction to begin monitoring powercharacteristic 802, in addition to or instead of the Select command'sfunctionality as specified in the Gen2 Protocol.

If the RFID IC self-determines a need for monitoring then it may do soat power-up, upon reaching a certain power level, upon entering orexiting an inventory round, when transitioning between internal states,upon a particular sensor reading, upon a timer or counter reaching avalue or expiring, upon an event related to the IC or to the item towhich the IC is attached, upon entering or exiting a sleep state, orupon any other triggering event.

The RFID IC may first measure a first baseline value 820 of powercharacteristic 802 at time 810. Subsequently, the IC may measure powercharacteristic 802 continuously, periodically, aperiodically, whencommanded-to, or in any other suitable way. If aperiodic, the IC may setits measurement timing based on a predetermined interval, a random timeinterval, an interval specified in a previously received command, ameasured power value, a time since monitoring started, a time since thelast measurement, or any other suitable timing parameter. In someembodiments, the IC may adjust its measurement timing duringmeasurement, for example based on received reader commands, measuredvalues or sensor readings, an IC- or item-related event, or any otherevent.

After the RFID IC has begun monitoring, it may continue monitoringdespite satisfying one or more threshold criteria, or it may haltmonitoring upon satisfying those one or more threshold criteria (e.g.halt criteria). The threshold criteria may be provided by an externalentity (e.g., in a command from a reader) and/or may be determined bythe IC itself. The threshold criteria may include an elapsed time sincemonitoring began, a total number of measurements, a change in theenvironment, a change in IC operating state, a received command, asensor value or change in sensor value, a value of or change in measuredpower, an IC event, or any other suitable criteria.

One example of a threshold criteria is a change in measured power (e.g.,the difference between a previously measured and a currently measuredpower) that meets a value threshold. In this disclosure, “meeting” athreshold means reaching, exceeding, or passing (for example, in eithera positive or a negative direction) the threshold. For example, indiagram 800 the RFID IC may be configured to perform an action and/orhalt monitoring power characteristic 802 if the difference betweenmeasured power value 842 and first baseline value 820 meets firstthreshold 830. After the RFID IC measures the first baseline value 820at time 810, power characteristic 802 decreases. At time 840, the RFIDIC may take a second measurement and compare the second measurement tothe first baseline value 820. Upon determining that the differencebetween first baseline value 820 and the second measurement does notmeet first threshold 830, the RFID IC may continue monitoring powercharacteristic 802. At time 842, the IC may take a third measurement ofpower characteristic 802 and compare the first baseline value 820 to thethird measurement. Upon determining that the difference between thefirst baseline value 820 and third measurement meets first threshold830, the IC may perform an action and/or halt monitoring powercharacteristic 802.

In some embodiments, the action or halt criteria may involve multiplethresholds. For example, an RFID IC may use first threshold 830 todetermine that a power decrease has satisfied a first criterion, and maythen use second threshold 832 to determine that a subsequent powerincrease has satisfied a second criterion. Satisfying both criteria maycause the RFID IC to perform the action or to halt measuring. In someembodiments, after satisfying the first criterion, the RFID IC maymeasure a second baseline value 822 of power characteristic 802 at time812. At time 844, the RFID IC may then make a fourth measurement ofpower characteristic 802 and compare the second baseline value 822 andfourth measurements. If the difference between the second baseline value822 and the fourth measurement does not meet second threshold 832, thenthe second criterion is not satisfied. At time 846 the RFID IC may makea fifth measurement of power characteristic 802 and compare the secondbaseline value 822 and fifth measurement. Upon determining thedifference between the second baseline value 822 and the fifthmeasurement meets second threshold 832, the RFID IC may determine thesecond criterion has been satisfied.

First and second thresholds 830 and 832 may differ in value or may bethe same. In some embodiments, an RFID IC may use multiple thresholds.For example, an RFID IC may be configured to use a first threshold tomonitor power decreases, a second to monitor power increases, a third tomonitor an absolute value, and so on. The RFID IC may choose whichthreshold to use based on a received command, a history of measuredvalues, a stored program or algorithm, an operating state, previouslyused thresholds, or some other determination.

In FIG. 8, new baseline values are determined when a criterion issatisfied. In other embodiments, new baseline values may be determinedupon any other suitable event. For example, the IC may measure a newbaseline value if the current criterion has not been satisfied for acertain period of time.

Whereas FIG. 8 describes a threshold-based approach to senseenvironmental power changes, in other embodiments a threshold-basedapproach may be used to sense changes in other environmental parameters.For example, an RFID IC may use a threshold-based approach to monitortemperature, chemical presence, or any other environmental parameter.

In some embodiments, an RFID IC may measure a slope or rate-of-change(e.g., a derivative) of an environmental parameter, an absolute value ormagnitude of the environmental parameter, an integral of theenvironmental parameter, or any other parameter or function based on theenvironmental parameter. In these instances, the RFID IC may compare themeasured parameter or function to one or more thresholds to determinewhether the threshold(s) have been met and therefore whether an actionor halt criterion has been met. The threshold(s) may have beenpreviously provided to the RFID IC by an external entity (e.g., an RFIDreader or reader system), or may have been previously measured by theRFID IC itself.

As noted above, an RFID IC may take an action upon satisfying one ormore criteria. For example, the IC may adjust an indicator value; replyimmediately; write a value to a register, flag, or memory; enter and/orexit an operating state; enable or disable one or more features; executea protocol or non-protocol functionality; advance a reply timing; changean inventory slot count; wake from a sleep state; enter an inventoryround; and/or perform any other action. The RFID IC may also storeand/or transmit the identity of the satisfied criterion, data associatedwith the criterion, and/or the measured data. The actions performed bythe RFID IC upon satisfying a criterion may be preprogrammed in the ICor may be specified by a command. As one example of the latter, acommand that instructs the RFID IC to begin monitoring its environmentmay also specify the action the IC should take upon satisfying thecriterion. In some embodiments, the RFID IC may perform differentactions or series of actions, depending on whether different criteria orsets of criteria have been met.

In some embodiments, baselines 802, 822, or other baselines and/orthresholds 830, 822 or other thresholds may be stored at time of ICmanufacture or enabled by an external entity. In other embodiments theRFID IC may learn the baselines and/or thresholds based on history orusage.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart depicting a process 900 for an RFID IC to compareenvironmental changes to a threshold, according to embodiments. Process900 begins at step 902, where either a reader or the RFID IC itselfdetermines that the IC should initiate sensing, as described above inrelation to FIG. 8. At step 904, the IC initiates sensing, for exampleby making a baseline measurement or recalling a baseline value frommemory. At step 906, the IC performs sensing as described above. At step908, the IC determines whether a measured value or a parameter derivedfrom the measured value (e.g., a rate of change) meets a threshold, asdescribed above, and if so then at step 910 the IC performs an action asdescribed above. If the IC determines at step 908 that the threshold hasnot been met, then the IC may proceed to step 912 to determine whetherit should halt sensing. If at step 912 the IC determines that it shouldnot halt sensing, then the IC may return to step 906. If at step 912 theIC determines that it should halt sensing, then the IC may do so, and ata subsequent time the IC may again initiate sensing at step 902.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting a process 1000 for an RFID IC to join aspecial inventory round upon sensing an environmental change, accordingto embodiments. As described above, a reader may initiate such a specialinventory round intermittently or continuously. The reader may reservethe inventory round solely for ICs with sensed environmental changes, orit may construct an inventory round in which ICs without sensedenvironmental changes are inventoried, but also in which ICs with sensedenvironmental changes can enter and quickly alert the reader to theirstatus.

Process 1000 begins at step 1002, where an RFID IC receives either aninventorying command initiating the special inventory round, or one ormore broadcast commands followed by an inventorying command thattogether initiate the special inventory round. If the former, then theinventorying command can be a standard command, such as a Query of theGen2 Protocol, or a custom command; in either case one or more commandfields can initiate the special inventory round or be repurposed toinitiate the special inventory round. If the latter, then the broadcastcommand can be a Select or Challenge of the Gen2 Protocol or a customcommand, and the inventorying command can be a standard command, such asa Query of the Gen2 Protocol, or a custom command. The broadcast orinventorying commands may use session flags of the Gen2 Protocol or anyother suitable flags to facilitate initiating the inventory round, alongwith the one or more command fields. Regardless of how the round isstarted, the initiating command(s) can instruct ICs that have alreadysensed environmental changes to join the round, or ICs that senseenvironmental changes to join even after the round has started, or ICsto join the round but not reply until they sense an environmentalchange. In some cases an IC may assert its tag notification (TN) flag(specified in the Gen2 Protocol) upon sensing an environmental changeand the Select command may use the TN value (e.g., asserted or notasserted) to identify RFID ICs that have sensed environmental changes.

At step 1004, which, depending on embodiments may occur prior to,coincident with or after step 1002, the RFID IC determines whether ithas sensed an environmental change. If at step 1004 the IC determinesthat it has not sensed an environmental change then it proceeds to step1006, where it does not participate or reply in the special inventoryround. On the other hand, if at step 1004 the IC determines that it hassensed an environmental change then it proceeds to step 1008 where itparticipates and replies in the special inventory round. Upon sensingthe environmental change, the IC may record the change as describedabove, such as by setting a flag and/or by writing data associated withthe change to memory.

As described above, an RFID IC may be configured to participate in aninventory round when it senses an environmental change even if the IChas already participated in the inventory round, was not asked toparticipate in the inventory round, is not eligible to participate inthe inventory round, or is asleep in the inventory round. The flowchartof FIG. 11, depicting a process 1100, is an example of the latter. Atstep 1102, an RFID IC such as IC 702 participates in an inventory roundfor RFID ICs whose session flag has a first value. After successfullyinventorying the IC the reader causes the IC to change its session flagfrom the first value to a second value, after which the IC will notparticipate in inventory rounds for ICs whose session flag has the firstvalue. ICs whose session flags have the second value may sometimes besaid to be “asleep” or in a “sleep state”. In some embodiments thereader may periodically transmit refresh commands, such as at step 1104,to cause ICs in this sleep state to maintain their session flags at thesecond value, such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,330,284 issued onMay 3, 2016, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Nowsuppose that while asleep, the IC at step 1106 senses an environmentalchange that meets a threshold. The IC may then exit the sleep state, forexample by changing its session flag from the second value back to thefirst value or even without changing its session flag, thereby causingthe IC to participate in subsequent inventory rounds 1110 for ICs whosesession flag has the first value. As noted above, the IC may furtheralert the reader of the environmental change when it is inventoried, forexample by asserting its TN flag. Also note that, at step 1106, if theIC has not sensed an environmental change then it re-enters step 1106.Of course, alternatively, the IC can exit its sleep state normally, suchas if its session flag decays back to the first value.

When an RFID IC senses an environmental change (e.g., one or more sensorvalues meet thresholds or satisfy criteria), the IC may attempt to alertor draw the attention of an RFID reader. In one embodiment, the IC mayjoin a special inventory round that a reader dedicates for ICs withsensed environmental changes. In another embodiment, the IC may join orrejoin an ongoing inventory round which it otherwise would not havejoined or rejoined absent the sensed change. As one example, the RFID ICmay participate in an ongoing inventory round even if the IC was notpreviously requested to participate or if the IC is otherwise noteligible for participation. In yet another embodiment, the RFID IC mayadvance its reply timing upon sensing an environmental change, therebyresponding sooner to the reader than it would have absent the sensedchange. As another example, the IC may re-participate in an ongoinginventory round upon sensing the environmental change even if the IC hasalready been inventoried in the round, by exiting a sleep state asdescribed above or by refraining from entering the sleep state in thefirst place, even if commanded to do so. In this case, the IC may replymultiple times in the same inventory round. The IC may also set anotification flag to alert the reader that the IC has sensed anenvironmental change.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart depicting a process 1200 for an RFID IC toadvance its reply timing when sensing an environmental change, accordingto embodiments. At first step 1202, an RFID IC similar to IC 702receives a broadcast command configured to instruct the IC to (1)monitor an environmental parameter, (2) advance its reply timing uponsensing a change in the environmental parameter that meets a threshold,and optionally (3) assert a notification indicator. The broadcastcommand can optionally be a Select command of the Gen2 Protocol, and thenotification indicator can be the TN flag of the Gen2 Protocol. At step1204, the IC receives an inventorying command and joins the commandedinventory round, scheduling a reply in a designated slot, where “slot”as used herein may have the same meaning as in the Gen2 Protocol and theinventory command may be a Query command of the Gen2 Protocol. At step1206, after entering the inventory round but before reaching itsdesignated reply slot, the IC senses an environmental parameter changethat meets the threshold and proceeds to step 1210 where it acceleratesits reply-slot decrement rate, thereby rescheduling the reply,potentially to the front of the reply queue. At step 1212, the ICoptionally asserts a notification, such as its TN flag, that it hassensed an environmental change. The reader, upon receiving the assertedTN flag, knows to pay special attention to this RFID IC because, forexample, it may represent an item being stolen. If the reader is asynthesized-beam reader (SBR) or otherwise capable of generatingmultiple beams, for example via multiple antennas, the reader may chooseto focus a beam in the direction of the IC for an extended period oftime as a result of determining that the IC has sensed an environmentalchange. The reader may also (or instead) increase or maintain aninventory rate of the IC, for example by sending a nonacknowledgementcommand or refraining from acknowledging the IC, as disclosed incommonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 9,818,084 issued on Nov. 14, 2017,hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. If the IC does notsense an environmental change then it continues to decrement its slotcounter at the standard rate, replying to the reader when the slotcounter reaches zero (for example, in the case of behavior according tothe Gen2 Protocol).

Of course, step 1206, despite being shown subsequent to step 1204 inprocess 1200, may occur before or after step 1204. Similarly, the IC mayhave initiated environmental sensing of its own volition, or could beconfigured to always sense, or may begin sensing upon receiving theinventory command at step 1204.

Suppose, due to RF noise or a reply collision with another RFID IC, thatthe reader does not hear the reply from the IC and therefore does notacknowledge the IC as being heard. In this case the IC may be configuredto reply again in the next timeslot, to ensure the reader hears it, orto re-participate in the inventory round for a fixed time or number ofreplies (e.g., twice, three times, or any suitable number of times).Alternatively, the IC may be configured to responding incessantly, evenif the reader has responded to one or more previous replies in theround, to allow the reader to track its movement, until the readerquiets it using a special command, a power-down, or any other suitablemeans to quiet the tag.

Accelerating the reply-slot decrementing in step 1210 can take manyforms. In one embodiment the IC may increase its reply-slot decrementrate. Using the Gen2 Protocol as an example, the IC may decrement itsslot counter by a value greater than 1 at each QueryRep. In anotherembodiment the IC may change its current slot count to a smaller value,perhaps even to 1 or zero regardless of the prior slot-count value. Inyet other embodiments, the IC may change its slot counter value to someother nonzero value that is nevertheless smaller than the current value.

Whereas process 1200 shows a reply-slot decrement rate, in otherembodiments an RFID protocol may decrement time rather than slots, ormay use another scheduling algorithm altogether to avoid tag collisions.The present disclosure does not rely-on or assume any particularscheduling algorithm or protocol, but instead is protocol-agnostic andis focused on RFID ICs accelerating their reply timing in response tosensing an environmental change.

In addition to or instead of advancing a reply schedule, an RFID IC mayschedule and send multiple replies in a single inventory round, similarto the re-participation described in relation to process 1100. In suchembodiments, the IC may send its additional replies immediately afterthe first reply or separated by a time duration or number of slots.

In some embodiments, the extent of an RFID IC's participation in aninventory round may be correlated with the magnitude of the sensedenvironmental change. A relatively large environmental change may causethe IC to participate in the inventory round more (for example, in termsof participation time and/or number of responses or successful inventoryopportunities) than a relatively small environmental change, andvice-versa. The magnitude of a sensed environmental change mayalternatively be a magnitude of a derivative of the change, a magnitudeof a time associated with the change, a number of changes and/or anyother suitable parameter associated with the change. In this way, theinventorying reader may be able to determine, to at least a first order,the magnitude or severity of the environmental change based on the RFIDIC's participation. In some embodiments, the spacing between consecutivereplies may be indicative of the magnitude of the sensed environmentalchange. For example, consecutive replies spaced closely in time or slotsmay indicate a large environmental change, whereas consecutive repliesspaced far in time or slots may indicate a small environmental change.In some embodiments, the IC may also (or instead) encode an indicationof the magnitude of a sensed environmental change in one or morereplies, for example in one or more bits or timing in the replies, asdescribed above.

The operations described in processes 900, 1000, 1100, and 1200 are forillustrative purposes only. These operations may be implemented usingadditional or fewer operations and in different orders using theprinciples described herein.

An RFID reader system, suitably configured, can identify, based on theprocesses and algorithms described above, RFID ICs that have sensedenvironmental changes. In one embodiment, the reader system mayunderstand that an IC that unexpectedly participates in an inventoryround (e.g., if the IC repeatedly participates in the inventory round,or sends multiple replies in a known pattern, or participates despitenot being asked to, or was known to be asleep) has sensed anenvironmental change. In another embodiment, the reader system may beconfigured to extract and use a notification from an RFID IC todetermine that the RFID IC has sensed an environmental change.

Upon determining that an RFID IC has sensed an environmental change asdescribed above, the reader system may take any suitable and appropriateaction. For example, the reader system may initiate a special inventoryround, as described above in relation to FIG. 10. The reader system mayaccess environmental-change data stored on the IC and use the accesseddata to identify the sensed environmental change. The reader system maywrite data associated with the change to the IC—for example, the readersystem may write data to a fast-moving IC indicating the IC ispotentially being stolen. The reader system may temporarily silenceother, nearby RFID ICs, so that it can focus on the notifying IC. Thereader system may steer a synthesized beam toward the IC, potentiallyrereading the IC or inventorying other RFID ICs in the vicinity of theIC with the environmental change. The reader system may alert otherreaders or reader systems to focus on the vicinity of the IC or on otherareas of interest, for example exits from a store or facility if theenvironmental change is that the IC is moving.

The reader system may be configured to provide an alert for particularenvironmental changes. For example, if the reader system determines thatan IC has sensed environmental changes corresponding to potential theftthen the reader system may cause or notify a system to activateanti-theft measures. As another example, if the reader system determinesthat an IC has sensed environmental changes corresponding to a hazardouschemical, the reader system may cause or notify a system to takeappropriate measures.

In some embodiments, a reader system may notify another entity if anRFID IC senses environmental changes, without necessarily providing analert as described above. For example, the reader system may notify astore monitoring system that a tagged item is moving quickly but may notnecessarily sound an anti-theft alarm. The reader system may beconfigured to store information about the sensed environmental change,either in local storage included in or coupled to the reader system orin remote storage such as a network-accessible database or device. Forexample, the information may be stored as part of a history of the RFIDIC and/or its associated item. In other embodiments, the reader systemmay perform any suitable action related to or associated with the sensedenvironmental change.

Some reader systems may not be configured to identify RFID ICs that havesensed an environmental change. For example, some readers may notrecognize that RFID ICs unexpectedly participating in inventory roundsmay have sensed an environmental change or may not recognizeenvironmental change notifications in RFID IC replies. Readers that areconfigured to identify RFID ICs that have sensed an environmental changemay indicate as such to the ICs, allowing RFID ICs to discriminatebetween readers configured or unconfigured to differentiateenvironment-sensed replies. In one embodiment, suitably configuredreaders may transmit commands or operate according to a differentprotocol than unconfigured readers. In some embodiments, suitablyconfigured readers may use substantially the same protocol as unsuitablyconfigured readers, but may also use additional, custom commands, oradjusted protocol commands, to indicate their additional capabilitieswith respect to environmental change detection.

RFID ICs may be designed to discriminate between suitably configured andunconfigured readers and may adjust their replies accordingly. In someembodiments, ICs configured to notify readers of sensed environmentalchange as described above may only notify configured readers and notunconfigured readers, for example by responding to unconfigured readerswithout using advanced reply timing or other features described above.In one embodiment, ICs may notify configured readers by sending repliesbased on a first protocol, while communicating with unconfigured readersby sending replies based on a second protocol different from the first.In other embodiments, an RFID IC may notify both configured andunconfigured readers of sensed environmental change, even ifunconfigured readers cannot interpret or understand the notifications.In some embodiments an RFID IC may determine whether to notify a readerof a sensed environmental change based on a parameter associated withthe IC, the reader and/or the environment. Such parameters may includereader identity, reader type, reader feature(s), number of readers inthe environment, reader/IC location, time, IC population in theenvironment, or any other suitable parameter.

An RFID reader system configured to identify RFID ICs that have sensedenvironmental changes may further be configured to determine or receiveinformation about whether environmental changes are likely, and if sofacilitate its communication with RFID ICs attempting to provideenvironmental change notification. For example, a video camera systemfor a retailer may determine that a customer is moving in a suspiciousmanner toward an exit and therefore may be attempting to steal items.Based on this likelihood information, the RFID reader system may thenfacilitate communications with RFID ICs attempting to providenotification by, for example, initiating special inventory rounds and/ordetermining whether RFID ICs have been recently trying to provideenvironmental change notifications. As another example, an RFID readersystem in a retailer may be configured to base the frequency of specialinventory rounds and/or the priority on determining whether RFID ICs aretrying to provide environmental change notifications on customer trafficin the retailer, with the assumption that higher customer traffic maycorrelate to higher likelihood of thefts. As prioritizing inventoryingof RFID ICs sensing environmental changes may come at the expense of thenormal inventorying of RFID ICs, a suitably-configured RFID readersystem may be configured to adjust such prioritization based onenvironmental change likelihood information and any other suitableinformation, internally-determined or received from one or more externalentities.

According to one example, a method for an RFID IC to provide an alertfor an environmental change may include participating in an inventoryround upon sensing the environmental change, else not participating inthe inventory round. The inventory round may be a special inventoryround for ICs to provide alerts or a standard inventory round.

According to another example, the method may include participating in aninventory round, then receiving a command to refrain from continuing toparticipate in the inventory round, but upon sensing an environmentalchange continuing to participate despite having received the refrainingcommand.

According to yet another example, the method may include participatingin an inventory round with an initial reply scheduling, but advancingthe reply scheduling upon sensing an environmental change. The initialreply scheduling may be determined upon one or more of an IC powerup,receiving a command, expiration of a timer, or an IC event.

According to a further example, the method may include replying multipletimes in an inventory round.

For at least some of the examples described above:

-   -   a. sensing the environmental change may include performing        measurement(s) of environmental parameter(s) at one or more        times, comparing the measurement(s) to each other and/or to        baseline values to determine a change in the environmental        parameter, and determining if the change meets a threshold,    -   b. the environmental parameter may be an RF parameter and may be        or may include a power, voltage, current and/or circuit        parameter derived from, related to or rectified from an RF        waveform present at an antenna port of the IC,    -   c. generating the alert may include adjusting a value of one or        more bits in the IC's reply to indicate the alert, adjusting a        timing of the IC's reply to indicate the alert, or both,    -   d. the IC may send the alert with, or instead of, its standard        inventory reply,    -   e. the method may include replying multiple times in the        inventory round, and at least one reply may contain the alert

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams and/orexamples. Insofar as such block diagrams and/or examples contain one ormore functions and/or aspects, it will be understood by those within theart that each function and/or aspect within such block diagrams orexamples may be implemented individually and/or collectively, by a widerange of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combinationthereof. Those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects ofthe RFID embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, may beequivalently implemented employing integrated circuits, as one or morecomputer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or moreprograms running on one or more computer systems), as one or moreprograms running on one or more processors (e.g. as one or more programsrunning on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtuallyany combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writingthe code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skillof one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application, which are intended asillustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations canbe made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods andapparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to thoseenumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from theforegoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intendedto fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosureis to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along withthe full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It isto be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particularmethods, configurations, antennas, transmission lines, and the like,which can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one”or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articlesused to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specificnumber of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should beinterpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the barerecitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at leasttwo recitations, or two or more recitations).

Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a constructionis intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understandthe convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C”would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone,C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those withinthe art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting twoor more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, ordrawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities ofincluding one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. Forexample, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include thepossibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, allranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subrangesand combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easilyrecognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range beingbroken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths,tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein canbe readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third,etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all languagesuch as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the likeinclude the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequentlybroken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will beunderstood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individualmember. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groupshaving 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, a group having 1-5 cells refers togroups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth.

We claim:
 1. A method for a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)integrated circuit (IC) to provide an alert, the method comprising:performing a first measurement of an environmental parameter at a firsttime; determining a difference by comparing the first measurement to asecond measurement of the environmental parameter measured at a secondtime, or to a baseline value; and if the difference meets a threshold,then providing the alert by: participating in an inventory round; andsending, in the inventory round, a reply having an indicator for thealert, wherein the indicator is at least one of: a value of one or morebits in the reply, and a timing adjustment of the reply.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the parameter includes at least one of a power, avoltage, and a current rectified from an RF waveform present at anantenna port of the IC.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameterincludes values of tuning elements used to improve power transfer froman antenna.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing thetiming adjustment by accelerating a reply-slot decrement rate of thereply.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first time is one of ICpower-up, upon receiving a command, and an IC event; and the second timeis one of upon receiving a command, expiration of a timer, and an ICevent.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one ofretrieving the baseline value from an IC memory and receiving thebaseline value from a reader.
 7. A method for a Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) integrated circuit (IC) to provide an alert, themethod comprising: performing a first measurement of an environmentalparameter at a first time; comparing the first measurement to a baselinevalue or a second measurement of the environmental parameter measured ata second time to determine a difference; and if the difference meets athreshold, then providing the alert by advancing a scheduled reply in anongoing inventory round, else not advancing the reply.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the parameter includes at least one of a power, avoltage, and a current rectified from an RF waveform present at anantenna port of the IC.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the parameterincludes characteristics of tuning elements used to improve powertransfer from an antenna.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein: thescheduled reply is to be sent at a third time; and advancing the replycomprises rescheduling the reply to be sent at a fourth time prior tothe third time.
 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising schedulinganother reply in the ongoing inventory round, wherein providing thealert further comprises replying multiple times in the ongoing inventoryround.
 12. The method of claim 7, further comprising generating thereply such that at least one of: a value of at least one bit in thereply indicates the alert, and a timing of the reply indicates thealert.
 13. The method of claim 7, wherein: the first time is one of ICpower-up, upon receiving a command, and an IC event; and the second timeis one of upon receiving a command, expiration of a timer, and an ICevent.
 14. The method of claim 7, further comprising at least one ofretrieving the baseline value from an IC memory and receiving thebaseline value from a reader.
 15. A method for a Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) integrated circuit (IC) to provide an alert, themethod comprising: performing a first measurement of an environmentalparameter at a first time; comparing the first measurement to a baselinevalue or a second measurement of the environmental parameter measured ata second time to determine a difference; and if the difference meets athreshold, then providing the alert by replying multiple times in aninventory round.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the parameterincludes at least one of a power, a voltage, and a current rectifiedfrom an RF waveform present at an antenna port of the IC.
 17. The methodof claim 15, wherein the parameter includes characteristics of tuningelements used to improve power transfer from an antenna.
 18. The methodof claim 15, further comprising: in response to replying in theinventory round, receiving a command to enter a sleep state; and despitereceiving the command, refraining from entering the sleep state andinstead continuing to reply in the inventory round.
 19. The method ofclaim 15, wherein replying multiple times comprises replying with atleast one reply with an indication of the alert, wherein the indicationincludes at least one of a timing of the reply and a value of at leastone bit in the reply.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein: the firsttime is one of IC power-up, upon receiving a command, and an IC event;and the second time is one of upon receiving a command, expiration of atimer, and an IC event.
 21. The method of claim 15, further comprisingat least one of retrieving the baseline value from an IC memory andreceiving the baseline value from a reader.